While they may be temporary, your child's teeth are still important. Early childhood caries (also known as baby bottle tooth decay) most often occur in the upper front teeth. Numerous different factors can cause tooth decay, however, one of the most common in babies is frequent and prolonged exposure of the teeth to sugary drinks. This type of tooth decay can occur when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a baby, or when the child is put to sleep with it. In those scenarios, the bottle is left in the child's mouth for a long time, allowing sugars to cling to the teeth and promote the growth of bacteria.

Fortunately, there are a number of simple things that can be done to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Here are some of the most important ones:

Use roughly a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from ages three to six.

Place only milk, formula, or breastmilk in bottles. Try to avoid filling it with sugar filled juices and soft drinks.

If the child uses a pacifier, always use a clean one. Don’t dip it in any honey or sugar.

Try to encourage drinking from a cup.

By following the above steps, your child will have a much lower chance of tooth decay. As recommended by the Canadian Dental Association, you should schedule an appointment at our office for your child by the time they are 1 year old. We have dentists with expertise in treating infants. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, feel free to contact us here at the Rideau Dental Center by calling 613-230-7475.

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Patient Education

Patient education library includes information on various topics ranging from dental care to oral health problems.